22nd April 2022
| Mark Frost
CRICKET IS BACK in Wales - and bigger than ever - and we are looking forward to another bumper summer of fun for players of all ages and abilities.
With a number of adult leagues starting this weekend, we urge clubs and players to take a moment to celebrate all that is great in our game - as summarised in our video.
Despite the pandemic, Welsh Cricket hit 2021 for 6! We are looking forward to sustaining and furthering growth among junior players and women and girls especially. We also remain committed to expanding and further embedding our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion plan.
Huge thanks to all our clubs for responding to the audit of 2021 and for their efforts in making our game so strong.
Headlines from the audit are as follows:
- Total Open-age membership up 31% since 2013 (HALF of this growth is female)
- Junior participation up 63% since 2013 (thanks to the impact of All Stars and Dynamos Cricket)
- Female participation up 658% (six hundred and fifty eight per-cent) since 2013
- Trained volunteers increased, to meet growth; +63% since 2018
- Our key programmes have driven overall growth of 49% since 2013 - with more to come; club demand for programmes is also growing year-on-year.
- Clubs are thriving and continue to play a central role in their communities
Cricket Wales CEO, Leshia Hawkins, commented, "If you had given me a set of results like these- in 'normal' times - over the last 2 years, frankly, I would have been delighted! For our sport to achieve what it has, against the backdrop of a global health crisis, is nothing short of phenomenal.
"I must pay tribute to our oustanding volunteers; the lifeblood of our sport in Wales. Thanks to them and their commitment, our clubs and our sport is thriving.
"We have clear plans to deliver and support further growth in our sport, in schools, hubs and clubs, and to take cricket to areas and communities where it is less traditionally played; The interest in, and demand for, cricket is undeniable - especially among young people and female participants - and we are enjoying fantastic support from Glamorgan Cricket and the England and Wales Cricket Board, which will enable us to deliver on our ambitions.
"To all who are starting their comeptitive seasons in the coming weeks, go well and enjoy your cricket, and thank you again to everyone who is playing their part in such a a special time for cricket in Wales."
If you would like to know more about All Stars Cricket and Dynamos Cricket, please click here
A summary of the audit can be found here.